Engagment Edibles

April 19, 2006 7:17 AM

I need some tips on food that go with the words "Will You Marry Me?"

I'm proposing to my girlfriend tomorrow and I've got everything nailed down except the menu. We're going on a picnic to a place we know and so all suggestions have to be transportable in a backpack/ plastic bag.

Orginally I was thinking deli sandwiches, but then I realized that was a tummy deicision and not a smart logistical move. I'm looking for stuff that won't over commit our mouths for talking, or our hands for ring purposes (so in other words I'm looking for finger foods). I was thinking chocolate dipped pretzels would be good, but a lunch comprised entirely of chocolate coated sodium sticks (while yummy) isn't exactly that creative.

Any ideas?

posted by Smarson to food & drink (35 comments total)

finger sandwiches on rose-marry foccacia? (I'm a big fan of apple, smoked turkey, and brie)
posted by whatzit at 7:23 AM on April 19, 2006

Strawberries. The most romantic fruit on earth, shaped like a heart.

Whatever else you take, you must take strawberries.
posted by essexjan at 7:28 AM on April 19, 2006

I was thinking Strawberries too. Hmmm, I wonder if I can find them this time of year. Heck, I'm in NYC, I can find anything (for a price!).

Foccaia with Brie is a GREAT idea! My gf loves Brie.
posted by Smarson at 7:32 AM on April 19, 2006

cheescake with a rasberry reduction as topping, alternatively chambord reductions

picture here, more recipes here.

For the actual course i recommend sashimi grade tuna if you can get it, keep it cold and she likes sushi.
posted by sourbrew at 7:42 AM on April 19, 2006

I think sandwiches are a good idea, I don't completely understand why you've ruled it out.
If it's because they are big and messy, you could instead make a bunch of mini-sandwiches.

One fun (corny) possibility would be to get a heart-shaped cookie cutter and some Pillsbury biscuits. Lay out the biscuits on the cookie sheet according to the directions, and cut them with the cookie cutter (hopefully not taking very much off the biscuits). Cook according to the directions, and split the biscuits open (side-side, not up-down!) to use as the bread for sandwiches. I like using "Golden Layers", myself. I've used them to make little tuna puffs, but you can do any sandwich. They can be packed in tupperware-type containers.

On preview: you can make baked brie with crescent rolls; there's a recipe on the Pillsbury site somewhere.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 7:43 AM on April 19, 2006

Cheesecake is also a favorite for the both of us!

Hadn't thought about using heart shaped biscuits, thats great!
posted by Smarson at 7:47 AM on April 19, 2006

If you like sourbrew's cheesecake idea but you aren't big on cooking, I've had great success with the cupcake-modified recipe on the side of the Jello No-bake Cheesecake box. Easy and portable!
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 7:50 AM on April 19, 2006

Whatever you make, be sure it's something that doesn't require careful attention to detail. You mind is going to be quite distracted . I would prep as much as you can the day before.
posted by about_time at 8:07 AM on April 19, 2006

Greek Salad
Many high-end champagnes are offered in small bottles; consider mimosas. Fruit and cheese always work. Make as much of your food as you can yourself; it'll speak volumes. Break a leg!
posted by JABof72 at 8:09 AM on April 19, 2006

champagne, of course.

as for food - keep it simple. i think the strawberries, brie and focaccia bread is a great idea. maybe some grapes and apples. prosciutto wrapped around melon or asparagus is tasty. maybe cannolis for dessert if you want to keep it all finger foods.

good luck!
posted by jessica at 8:21 AM on April 19, 2006

hey, "strawberry brie" rhymes with "will you marry me?
posted by bilabial at 8:26 AM on April 19, 2006

i love the heart shaped sandwiches idea.. and strawberries are a must... (chocolate coated strawberries are very easy to make) but more than anything if you know what some of her favorite foods/desserts are, maybe something she doesnt get to have very often? because nothing is more romantic than having your boyfriend/girlfriend show you how much he/she notices the little details.

make it as simple as possible though.. the focus should be more on her than the food.
posted by trishthedish at 8:28 AM on April 19, 2006

Great ideas (and wisdom), thanks everyone. I was going to ask about drinks. Niether of us are really big champagne drinkers (or wine for that matter). What would be a fitting, yet classy, non-alcoholic beverage?
posted by Smarson at 8:39 AM on April 19, 2006

If you can swing making cookies without her knowing, that would be awesome. Strawberries and homemade chocolate chip cookies. With champagne. And a ring. I'd marry you in a heartbeat.
posted by meerkatty at 8:41 AM on April 19, 2006

I'll keep that in mind incase she says "no." JK
posted by Smarson at 8:49 AM on April 19, 2006

Beware of salads before Champagne, as the vinegar will spoil the taste of the wine.

personally I would go for lobster roll, on a buttered and toasted hot-dog bun. I know, but that just happens to be the best. Assemble on site so it doesn't get soggy.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne, strawberries, chocolate. Don't forget the ice bucket, and a nice linen to wrap it in.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:53 AM on April 19, 2006

a bottle of perrier, pellegrino or any sparkling water is good.
posted by jessica at 8:53 AM on April 19, 2006

Glass bottles of old fashioned sodas? Real Brew or Boyland's or such, might be nice if you're soda drinkers. Otherwise, a freshly made fruit punch looks lovely poured into wine glasses.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:54 AM on April 19, 2006

Oops, didn't see the no Champagne update. I'd still include a small split for decoration if nothing else. Substitute San Pelligrino and fresh orange juice.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:58 AM on April 19, 2006

Martinelli's sparkling apple juice? Comes in a classy champagne-like bottle, good color, very fizzy. There's another well-known brand that has sparkling apple and grape, in a dark green bottle, with a purple and red label that's a little more whimsical...

I like the fancy soda idea of jacquilynne's, but the fizziness is an important aspect - Boylan's would not be fizzy enough, for sure.
posted by whatzit at 9:06 AM on April 19, 2006

I think it's hard to go wrong with a nice loaf of bread, a couple of yummy cheeses, some cold cuts, strawberries, and wine or lemonade. No utencils required and delicious. Finish it off with a finger-food dessert like brownies, petit fours, or truffles. Another bonus for a light meal is that you won't feel too stuffed to consummate your engagement afterwards. :)
posted by gatorae at 9:12 AM on April 19, 2006

There are fizzy Lorina lemonades-- pink and regular yellow color-- that are at Cost Plus World Market-- I just love those. You could always do the old standby n/a fancy drink, sparkling grape juice. My newest favorite drink is oj and 7-up mixed, but maybe that's just me. I'd go for the lemonades-- pretty bottle and everything. I think Target sells them too.

And I echo what others have said-- keep it simple, nothing you have to fuss over. Even take-out from your favorite restaurant could be fun and easy. Make it about HER, not the food.
posted by orangemiles at 9:15 AM on April 19, 2006

If you can find it, sparkling pomegranate juice is a delicious alternative to champagne. I've only seen it at Costco around Thanksgiving, but since you're in New York, nothing is impossible to get, right?
posted by Sara Anne at 9:26 AM on April 19, 2006

I love the Izze soft drinks. It's just fruit juice and sparkling water, and while I usually prefer sugar-laden sodas, I found Grapefruit Izze to be quite refreshing. They sell them at Target, but I got mine at Starbucks, so you can find them anywhere, pretty much.
posted by AlisonM at 9:44 AM on April 19, 2006

Actually, Sarah Anne, Izze comes in Pomegranate. Is this the same thing?
posted by AlisonM at 9:46 AM on April 19, 2006

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou.
- Omar Khayyam

Really good bread, some brie, some pate, strawberries (sourcream and brown sugar for dipping/optional). No champagne? something fizzy in decent glasses. Bring cloth napkins and a blanket.

We expect a full report.
posted by theora55 at 10:07 AM on April 19, 2006

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions (I know they're good because they're making my tummy grumble)! In case anyone is interested in how it turns out, I'm sure I'll blog about it here.
posted by Smarson at 10:15 AM on April 19, 2006

theora55 - I thought my family was the only one that ate strawberries with sour cream and brown sugar. My fiance (now wife) laughed at the concept.

Personally, I think that a couple tupperwares with sour cream and brown sugar to go with the strawberries and some italian soda (after the brie and focaccia sammiches, or grilled beef or chicken with blue cheese and arugula on ciabatta) would be a great idea.
posted by Seamus at 10:42 AM on April 19, 2006

All the above suggestions sound good to me! But being recently engaged, if she says yes, I can assure you neither one of you will be thinking much about the food later :)

PS. Bring flowers, even if it's only one rose.
posted by geeky at 12:35 PM on April 19, 2006

Pomegranates & pomegranate juice are symbols of fertility. You might want to keep that in mind if you're going to consummate the deal after the meal. . .
posted by witchstone at 1:39 PM on April 19, 2006

Oysters (w/pearls)
posted by sgobbare at 1:09 PM on April 20, 2006

flickr follow up
posted by growabrain at 2:54 PM on April 22, 2006

Congratulations!
posted by jacquilynne at 8:15 AM on April 23, 2006

congrats :)
posted by geeky at 12:15 PM on April 25, 2006

Congratulations!
And to AlisonM: the sparkling pomegranate juice I had last Txgvng was packaged in a "champagne" style bottle.
posted by Sara Anne at 2:09 PM on April 25, 2006